(Aether Everywhere, CD, Digital download)... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Vergennes-based folk/country troubadour Josh Brooks has reemerged a lengthy seven years since his well-regarded sophomore effort, Better Days. Brooks’ new release adds to an already impressive back catalog of folksy fables set to wholesome country strains. But in terms of production and recording technique, Lesson Learned represents a different pass over familiar folk and country terrain and bears the mark of a craftsman still trying to embrace his artistic progression.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

From this band’s name alone, the crude French speakers among us may be able to divine some hazy idea of the moody hues contained within the self-titled debut EP from Burlington ambient instrumental duo Tapis Bleu. But that would be judging a, well, rug by its color. And the floor is no place for this poignant, well-crafted harmonic tapestry, one of the most unusually innovative local creations to reach our ears this year.... Read more

(Self-released, CD)

Through the evolution of rock music, no instrument has had a tougher time than the piano. That pilot of classicism, architect of blues and luminary of jazz has, within the context of rock, often been carefully reduced to either delicate accentuation or atmospheric auxiliary. And sometimes Bruce Springsteen stands on one.... Read more

(Be Live Records, CD)... Read more

(Ginger-Ingenious, CD)... Read more

(Pokerhill, CD)

Ours is an age that reduces amateur vocalists to fanatical reality-television contestants. So it’s comforting to discover that there are still singers like Hillary Capps in the studio, honing their talents the time-honored way. A Perfect Dozen is the twentysomething jazz songstress and Underhill native’s solid debut release, a sturdy collection of 12 classic jazz vocal standards.... Read more

Burlington is an increasingly cultural-rich city, but even so, it’s unusual to see international artists here. That’s recently changed at Pine Street Art Works, where Atelier Tove has opened. The studio is the shared vision of husband-and-wife glass-blowing team Rich Arentzen and Tove Ohlander, whose works in the Swedish Graal style have gained them worldwide recognition. The work of AO!... Read more

Anyone who’s attended Radio Bean’s Thursday-night jazz sessions will be familiar with the savvy double-bass work of Burlington’s Anthony Santor. He recently collaborated with an adroit set of fellow jazzers — Brooklyn-based percussionist Ari Diaconis chief among them — to create a session of mercurial improvisational jazz, Beyond Human Aid.... Read more

Rambler Rick Norcross has logged as many celebrated miles as the deluxe steamboats that once frequented the waters of Shelburne Harbor. His journey through an adventurous musical province has lasted the better part of four decades — including a five-year stint as the music writer for The Tampa Times in the early ’70s. Norcross’ career has culminated — for now, anyway — in the October release of I Rode the Ti, his third album with longtime pals The Ramblers.... Read more